HOME > Community & Social > Ask the Expert > What kind of holiday drink mix would be healthiest? Many people serve the spiced cider, with Apple juice now in question...what other mixes can be bought or made at home to substitute for a nice winter hot drink? I lke to give gifts of this sort at Christmastime!

Warm Fruit Cider. Try a hand at making your own fruit cider. Choose recipes that call for only a small amount of sugar. And add some sliced fruit!

Punch. Combine a variety of 100% juices with a diet soda (such as Fresca) and frozen fruit instead of ice!

Cran-licious Smoothie. Cranberries are in season! Whirl up this kid-friendly recipe from our Cool Fuel Cookbook for Kids—ready in 5 minutes! See Recipe

Pear Nog. Try a sweeter nog with less calories and fat this year. You won’t feel guilty having another glass! Recipe:Pear Nog

Holiday Fizz. Combine seltzer water or sparkling water with any 100% juice concentrate. Kids love these and you can even have them create their own. Recipe:Grapefruit Fizz

Try preparing any of your favorite holiday drinks with low fat methods, such as using egg whites and low-fat or fat-free cream for egg nog, low-fat or fat-free milk for hot chocolate, or using diet sodas. For more health holiday dishes, visit our healthy entertaining guide—it has healthy gift ideas too! We create a new one each season, so be sure to check back!

The Expert: Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, is the President and CEO of the Produce for Better Health (PBH) Foundation. At PBH, she guides the Foundation’s efforts to advance the overall effort of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.Read Her Full Bio